Battista Family Ireland Adventure

Day 1 - Monday 22^nd April - Welcome to Dublin

Arriving in Ireland today, a private transfer will pick you up from the airport and whisk you into the city to your 5 star hotel in the city centre. Check-in is at 3pm however feel free to leave your bags, freshen up, or have a bite to eat.

The afternoon is yours to explore Dublin’s bustling streets at your own pace. All within walking distance of your hotel include the Georgian style Merrion Square, lush St. Stephen’s Green and Fitzwilliam Square, as well as O’Connell Street, the site of the ‘1916 Uprising’ that led to Ireland’s independence in 1922. Energy levels allowing, the world famous Guinness Storehouse can be a welcome introduction to Ireland and to quench any post-flight thirst.

Overnight: Dublin | The Merrion Hotel
Room Type: 2x Garden Wing Queens
Meals Included: None

Day 2 - Tuesday 23^rd April - Ancestral County Cork

After breakfast this morning, your private guide will meet you in the lobby of The Merrion. After some short introductions, together you will transfer 3.5 hours south from Dublin to County Cork, settling in the coastal town of Kinsale as the day’s home base. Stretch the legs with a seaside walk and visit to one of the best-preserved examples of a 17th-century Irish forts, exploring its tunnels and learning of its momentous events in Irish history. Time can be made to visit Dottie’s ancestral village either this afternoon or during tomorrow’s drive to Kerry, depending on the village’s location.

Tonight, enjoy a dinner in town with your guide as you make a toast to the week ahead together.

Overnight: Kinsale | Acton's Hotel
Room Type: 2x Classic Kings
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Day 3 - Wednesday 24^th April - Killarney National Park

Saying farewell to Cork this morning, head west into the neighbouring “Kingdom of Kerry”, stopping for a visit to Killarney National Park, the jewel in the county’s crown. Joined by your guide, enjoy an engaging hike along the lakeside, relaxing with a picnic lunch and soaking up the beautiful views. Top of your time in the park with a visit Ross Castle and hear about the legend of O’Donoghue and his snow-white horse.

Your final destination tonight is a bit further afield in the town of Dingle, famous for its buzzing traditional music scene, delicious seafood, and array of classic Irish pubs. Stop in for a whiskey this evening and enjoy some of the “craic agus ceol” (good fun and music) the town is renowned for.

Overnight: Dingle | Pax House
Room Type: 2x Comfy Seaview Doubles
Meals Included: Breakfast and Lunch

Day 4 - Thursday 25^th April - The Dingle Peninsula

The Dingle Peninsula hosts some of the richest collection of archaeological sites in Europe, ranging from standing stones and prehistoric monuments, as well as the peninsula’s renowned ancient clochains or beehive huts, which may be as much as 2,000 years old. Explore the peninsula today with your guide, stopping as you please for strolls along some of the longest stretching beaches and coastline trails Ireland has to offer.

Additional cultural experiences can be organised today, whether it be a visit and demonstration at a woodworker’s studio or a guided tour of a local craft brewery. Please let our team know if you would like to reserve any of these in advance.

Overnight: Dingle | Pax House
Room Type: 2x Comfy Seaview Doubles
Meals Included: Breakfast and Lunch

Day 5 - Friday 26^th April - The Cliffs of Moher

No trip to Ireland is complete without a visit to the iconic and wonderfully picturesque Cliffs of Moher. Rising 700 feet from the crashing Atlantic Ocean, the cliffs are home to a myriad of seabirds and aquatic life, the cliffs have deservedly become the hallmark of Irish scenery. You can take in the panoramic views and enjoy a hike with your guide, away from the visitor centre crowds, as you walk atop a section of the cliffs.

Ferry this evening from the nearby village of Doolin to take you to the remote Aran Islands, where you will get the chance to do what every few visitors get to experience by staying overnight on the largest island Inis Mór.

Overnight: Inis Mor | Pier House Aran
Room Type: 2x Standard Doubles
Meals Included: Breakfast and Lunch

Day 6 - Saturday 27^th April - The Aran Islands

Today you will get to fully immerse into the culture of Inis Mór – its history goes back millennia and today Gaelic is still the daily spoken language of the inhabitants. Getting ahead of any rush of day-trippers, take to your rental bikes this morning to explore the breathtaking scenery, mediaeval castles, cliffs and prehistoric forts which dot the sprawling island. Before you take your ferry back to the mainland tonight, pay a visit to Gabriel, fisherman-come-goat farmer and island native. Gabriel will introduce you to his flock of extraordinarily cute goats while regaling his wealth of knowledge on the island’s history, language and culture.

Overnight: Doolin | Doolin Inn
Room Type: 2x Standard Doubles
Meals Included: Breakfast and Lunch

Day 7 - Sunday 28^th April - Galway City

Galway is the capital of Ireland’s west. Known as the ‘town of the tribes’ the small centre of cobblestone streets and colourful store fronts is vibrant, fun and cosmopolitan. After time for lunch and a bit of shopping, a local military historian will meet you at the city’s main square to guide you through the bustling alleys sharing Galway City’s important roles in the clash of the French, Spanish, Russian and British Empires from 1700 to 1922, including in Ireland’s revolution for independence.

Continue onward this evening to arrive at your final hotel of your trip: Ballynahinch Castle, one of Ireland’s finest luxury castle hotels set in a private 700 acre estate of woodland, rivers and walks within Connemara National Park. Tonight, your guide will join you for dinner in the castle hotel’s pub restaurant for a farewell dinner together, making a toast to the week of adventure gone by.

Overnight: Connemara | Ballynahinch Castle
Room Type: 2x Classic Doubles
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Day 8 - Monday 29^th April - Connemara and Ballynahinch Castle

Connemara National Park is defined by the ocean surrounding, and this is particularly evident at the beautiful Killary Fjord. Spend the late morning meeting our favourite local character of the area overlooking the fjord. Tom operates a working sheep farm in the open fields of the park, and this morning he will share his knowledgeable experience of the region capped off with a demonstration of his sheepdogs at work. Enjoy lunch at an award-winning locally sourced food truck (be sure to try the mussels for any seafood enthusiasts!). Your guide will say farewell upon dropping you back off at Ballynahinch Castle, where you will have the evening to unwind on the castle grounds.

Overnight: Connemara | Ballynahinch Castle
Room Type: 2x Classic Doubles
Meals Included: Breakfast and Lunch

Day 9 - Tuesday 30^th April - Departure

A private transfer has been arranged for you this morning from Ballynahinch Castle to Dublin Airport, allowing plenty of time to check in before your departing flight. We hope you have enjoyed your time exploring Ireland with us, and we cannot wait to welcome you back to our friendly shores.

Meals Included: Breakfast